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Build in Progress - Houston area

I recently joined the forum. We signed our contract in mid-May and have been in progress since the excavation on June 20. We are getting close to the end, I hope!

The going in plan was a freeform lagoon style pool with spa that matched well with the existing large paver patio already at the house, not block out our lake view, and accommodate enough (non-view blocking) landscaping to put some amount of shade at least part of the pool throughout the day. Plan for it to be a play pool, kid friendly, adult lounging friendly, and to be a nice relaxing "water feature" for the yard even when not swimming.

We got bids from five companies, but one was way more interested in getting the design how we wanted it and worked hard with us on getting it just right. As you can see, I had several competing requirements and most builders kind of went into a mode where they only sort of tried to meet most of them. If we didn't flip out over their first designs, they started basically phoning it in. I wound up drawing the basic design myself, but the company we settled on worked with me a lot on refining it.

We decided to do pavers for the deck to match the style of our existing patio, but didn't want to continue the darker red/orange/grey color palette. My wife wanted it to be more like a "sandy beach" so we picked a light colored paver. As a result of that, I decided to drop the entire pool down 6" below grade. This created a nice transition to the alternative deck color and lowered all the raised features a little bit to preserve the view. The deck would be fairly minimal since we already have a good sized paver deck and wanted to keep some yard for the kiddos.

I'll see if I can get some pictures of the progress going here in the following posts.

Here's the original situation of the backyard before we called in the nuclear strike. Outline of pool and dog visible.

Re: Build in Progress - Houston area

Nice view - and seems like the dog is a big helper. Are you able to post the design? Is your tanning shelf a single layer or two? Look forward to watching the progress - Karen

I'm going to have to figure out some picture hosting before I can post anything else. The tanning ledge is really one level but it also has a bench extending from it and stairs coming off on the other side.

Re: Build in Progress - Houston area

Originally Posted by bdex

That is pretty awesome. Love the shape and how it is so natural as opposed to the shape of mine. ◼️

Thanks bdex, it is pretty cool to know I designed it and now it is a real object sitting in the back yard. In the gunite picture above, the area that I'm standing is intended to be a planter for a shade tree. I wanted to do a big pineapple palm there there get maximum shade during peak hours. In that photo, the sun would be in the direction directly behind where I'm standing and about 80 degrees elevation. The goal was that even during that part of the day I could get some shade so through helpful trigonometry I knew I would need to get thattree as close to the water as humanly possible or it would need to be 75 feet tall! So I designed that "peninsula" planter and the bench directly below it. So all was grand until I found out what date palms cost!! OMG!

I did wind up finding a deal on them where I could at least still sleep at night. The tall tree in this picture is just awaiting pool completion before being planted in that spot. It is an 8 foot clear trunk Medjool Date.

Re: Build in Progress - Houston area

Originally Posted by RangerBob

Looking good - I can see the bench now off of the tanning shelf. Have fun "watering" - Karen

Thanks! We're past the watering stage now! I've read through your entire thread, what a saga. I have had my own tribulations with our PB although I think you are doing much more with your backyard so there is more chance for screw ups. It is clear to me that communication is not the number one skill they value at these places. Getting even the most basic information from my PB has been like pulling teeth. I guess you are supposed to just close your eyes, cross your fingers, and assume everything will be fine... Easier said than done when the $$ amounts are considered, but to them it is just another pool - no big deal. We're almost done so I have gotten over most of the unhappiness hump now, but I think you may be hitting the peak!

Re: Build in Progress - Houston area

Tile and coping install. This is where we actually thought there might be a pool happening. The two and half weeks of absolute inactivity and radio silence leading up to this step feels like an eternity.

Re: Build in Progress - Houston area

Gorgeous! I'm jealous of the palm tree! We moved north from Clear Lake about a year ago - can't tell you how much I miss seeing them everywhere and how outrageously expensive they are up here! Pool is looking great, hope things are smooth from here on out.